'm catherine kobayashi. >>> syria's opposition forces said themilitaryusedhelicoptersin thursday's assault on the village of trimsay near the central city of hama. at least 200 people were killed by militia. at a news conference on sunday, a foreign ministry spokesperson said security forces responded to a request by villagers. the spokesperson said that only 39 people were killed in the military operation. and that they were armed terrorists, not civilians. >>> a spokesperson for u.n. observers in syria said heavy weaponry had been used. the spokesperson said that the attack appeared to be targeted at army defectors and activists and that there were many bloodstains in their houses. the u.n. mission planned to continue its probe to learn what actually happened in tremsa, and how many people were killed in the attack. in the capital damascus on sunday, rising smoke apparently from fighting between the government forces and the opposition could be seen at several locations. a local activist told nhk that it appeared to be the largest battle in the capital. >>> japan's ambassador to china ha